Backing vocalist

A backing vocalist or backing singer (or, especially in the U.S., backup singer or sometimes background singer) is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. In some cases, a backing singer may sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry. While some bands use backup singers who only sing when they are onstage, it is common for backup singers to have other roles. In many rock and metal bands, the musicians doing backup vocals also play instruments, such as rhythm guitar, electric bass, or drums. In Latin or Afro-Cuban groups, backup singers may play percussion instruments or shakers while singing. In some pop and hip-hop groups and in musical theater, the backup singers may be required to perform elaborately-choreographed dance routines while they sing through headset microphones.

Band members who sing backup

The two most notable examples of band members who sang back-up are The Beach Boys and The Beatles. The Beach Boys were well known for their close vocal harmonies, occasionally with all five members singing at once such as "In My Room" and Surfer Girl". More often than not Brian Wilson would sing lead with guitarists Carl Wilson and Al Jardine singing background harmonies. The Beatles were also known for their close style of vocal harmonies - it should also be noted that all Beatles members sang both lead and backup vocals at some point, typically with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, or George Harrison singing lead and the remaining members on backup. Examples include "Because" and "This Boy".

Guitarist John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers sings all backing vocals (few songs are recorded without backing vocals) often singing some parts without accompaniment from lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis. John usually covers a song by himself during concerts. Another example is No Frontiers by the Corrs,which is sung by Sharon and Caroline. Other examples include Philip Sneed of Story of the Year, Tony Rombola of Godsmack, Ryan Peake and Daniel Adair of Nickelback, Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots, The Edge of U2, Adrian Smith and Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo of Metallica, Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance of Avenged Sevenfold, Michael Padge and Jason James of Bullet for my Valentine, Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain of Journey, Mike Dirnt of Green Day, who rarely record songs without backing vocals, Matt Fazzi and Matt Rubano of Taking Back Sunday, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Ian D'Sa of Billy Talent, Malcolm Young of AC/DC (along with Cliff Williams, who joined the band in 1977), Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, Pete Townshend of The Who, Mick Jones of The Clash, Jason Newsted of Metallica, Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, Michael Anthony and Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen, Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe, Dusty Hill of ZZ Top, Mike Mills of R.E.M., Daron Malakian of System of a Down, John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater, Brent Riggs of Job For A Cowboy, Bill Hamilton of Silverstein, Frank Black of The Fall of Troy, Noel Gallagher of Oasis, Roger Taylor and Brian May of Queen, Ronnie Lane of Small Faces and Faces, Reni of The Stone Roses, Dee Dee Ramone of The Ramones, Bruce Foxton of The Jam,Graham Coxon of Blur, Dave Davies of The Kinks, Roy Wood of The Move, Mick Ralphs of Mott the Hoople,Jim Lea of Slade, Denny Laine of Wings, Chris Wolstenholme of Muse , Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford of Genesis, Josh Farro of Paramore and Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Richie Sambora, David Bryan,Mark Hoppus and Tom Delonge of Blink-182, and Hugh McDonald (musician) of Bon Jovi.

Lead singers who record backup vocals

In the recording studio, some lead singers record their own backing vocals, because the sound of their own harmonies will blend well with their main vocal. Ian Gillan of Deep Purple and Brad Delp of Boston recorded lead and backing vocals for their albums. Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge of Blink-182....corded his own backup vocals following the departure of Eddie Clarke. Other examples include Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian, Tyson Ritter of The All American Rejects, Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, Ronnie James Dio of Dio, Freddie Mercury of Queen, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Sting of The Police, Jeff Lynne of The Electric Light Orchestra, George Michael of Wham, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Morrissey of The Smiths , Damon Albarn of Blur ,Richard Asthcroft of The Verve and Mike Scott of The Waterboys. Many metalcore and some post-hardcore bands, such as As I Lay Dying, Alexisonfire, Haste the Day and Silverstein feature a main vocalist who does the lead singing/screaming, whilst the backing vocalist sings harmonies during choruses to create a contrast. Some bands, such as Hawthorne Heights and Finch have the backup singers do harsh screaming to highlight specific lyrics. With the expection of a few songs on each album, Richard Marx sings all of the background vocals for his songs. Pop and R&B vocalists Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Beyonce Knowles, Brandy, Faith Evans, Raheem DeVaughn, and Amerie have become known specifically for not only recording their own backing vocals, but for arranging their own multi-tracked vocals and even contriving highly complex harmonies and arrangements.

Unusual backing vocal styles

Some bands use backing vocals in order to contrast with the lead singer who may be performing an unusual vocal technique. For example, Brian "Head" Welch, the former lead guitarist of the band KoRn, performed backing vocals on several songs, and notably on the song "Ball Tongue", he screamed the chorus while lead vocalist Jonathan Davis sang incomprehensible scat vocals. Similarly, the Canadian deathcore group Despised Icon uses two vocalists, one performing screams and another performing low, growling death grunts who alternate, and sometimes sing in unison to highlight certain lyrics. In rap music, a background rapper who chants and rhymes to support the main artist is often referred to as hype man.

Career paths

Working as a backup singer can give a vocalist the onstage experience and vocal training they need to develop into a lead vocalist. A number of lead vocalists such as Richard Marx, Mariah Carey, Cher, Gwen Stefani, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and Elton John learned their craft as backup singers.